Noticed that left front turn signal is out at times. Dealership technician found that left front turn signal bulb and socket are burnt. Fault 36 (turn indicator, front left, faulty) is set in fault memory. Checked left front turn signal bulb and socket are burnt. Replaced front turn signal bulb and socket.
2002 BMW 325XI lights problems
10 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 128,000.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical mileage
- 128,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Tail lights3
- Turn signal1
- Brake lights1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
BMW 325XI lights problems in other years
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2001, through march 1, 2005. Over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working.
- Risk
- Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on february 15, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 11V438000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Rear Lamp Illumination
In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.An 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.BMW will complete dealer notification in September 2011 and will begin owner notification in October 2011.All 3 series sedans (except for the M3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between September 1, 2001 and March 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.The action taken by BMW is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
EA09019
Rear lamp illumination
Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
PE09036
Rear lamp illumination
In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.
DP09002
What 2002 BMW 325XI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Bmw north america sent out a recall letter dated december 2011 for the rear lights on their 3 series cars. They advised consumers that they should go to their local dealers for recall repairs and that they would be eligible for reimbursement for repairs already completed and paid for. I heard nothing further from bmw until I wrote to their new ceo for north america, mr.willisch, asking what I should do to get them to take action on their recall. He had his secretary call me and ask me to fax the receipts for the repairs to her, which I did. I heard nothing further for several weeks until I called again. She then called me back and said I should be hearing something from bmw soon. The next day I received a check from princeton bmw for the cost of one repair to the rear lights. However, I faxed receipts for 2 repairs to the right rear lights and 1 repair to the left rear lights. To date I have heard nothing further from bmw about reimbursing me for the other 2 repairs.. How can you help me get reimbursed for the other 2 repairs to my 3 series car? *tr updated 10/1512
2002 bmw 325 xi. Consumer requests reimbursement for recall repair cost *tgw the consumer referenced recall # 11v438000. According to the dealer, too much current/electricity was flowing through the vehicle to the rear panel. Because of the voltage fluctuation problem, the rear warning lamp light was intermittently triggered. The invoice stated the contacts, connectors and wiring were burnt, the connectors needed to rewired, and the carriers and repetitive grounds were replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. The contact stated that none of the rear lights functioned. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the wiring harness was burned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 11v438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights). The failure mileage was 70,000.
Dashboard indicator reports right rear taillight not functioning though lights and turn signal functioning. Rear right taillight and turn signal have ceased to function twice since purchase on 10/10/11. Manufacturer claims this car not covered by current recall (11v438000).
About 3 months ago noted my tail/turn signal light out indicator on dash, but all bulbs were good. Problem intermittent at first, but then became constant on left light indicator. Went on bmw internet forum and found this is a common problem to 3-series ascribed to ground not good enough, buring pin/port on connector. Indeed this is what happened on the left side of the tail light housing/connector. I spliced another ground wire to the original and connected to the housing as described in the online forum and seems to work for now, but I feel not having an operable turn signal on the rear of the car could be dangerous.
I have a 2003 bmw 325xi but there isn't a 2003 year to enter for some reason. Both tail lights and both headlights have gone out multiple times. Hazard light and main lock next to hazard light button have gone out completely, dash warning light have also gone out but have since been fixed with fuses.
The tail lights electric connector module is dysfunctional. It is burned out on the passenger side. As a result, brake lights and turn indicator lights are not functional. This failure has previously happened on the driver side tail lights as well. The cause was similar. The ground cable and electric connector were burned out.
Formal petition for an investigation of a safety-related design defect: bmw 325xi 2002 defective tail light. Tail light connections burn out due to lack of proper wiring. Bmw has now issued a correction for this but will not cover the cost of repairs.
This is for a potential fire hazard or possible rear end accident due to a known failure in the terminal block on the tail lights.
Questions about the 2002 BMW 325XI lights
Does the 2002 BMW 325XI have lights problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the lights of the 2002 BMW 325XI, 15% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 BMW 325XI lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 128,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 BMW 325XI lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 11V438000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2002 BMW 325XI problems
Engine 18Electrical 15Airbags 13Suspension 9Steering 7Tires 5Transmission 4Brakes 2Visibility 2Body 1Driver assistance 1
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